December
Transcription
December
Strokenews Y E S , T H E R E I S L I F E A F T E R A S T R O K E The Sunny Side of Caring KDN PP 10647/04/2009(021208) 08 December EDITOR Margaret Chang CONTRIBUTORS Elaine Chong, MaryAnn Willis, Shen Chan DESIGNED BY Xpress Print (KL) Sdn Bhd PUBLISHED BY National Stroke Association of Malaysia No. 12, Jalan 7/2 46050 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan NASAM HEADQUARTERS Address as above Tel: 03 7956 4840 / 7956 1876 Fax: 03 7956 2275 Email: [email protected] Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm NASAM AMPANG No 9, Lorong Awan 1 68000 Ampang Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel: 03 4256 1234 Fax: 03 4256 5360 Email: [email protected] Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm NASAM PENANG No 9 Jesselton Crescent 10350 Penang Tel/Fax: 04 229 8050 Email: [email protected] Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm NASAM PERAK No 9, Lorong Pinji, off Jalan Pasir Puteh 31560 Ipoh, Perak Tel: 05 321 1089 Fax: 05 322 4759 Email: [email protected] Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm NASAM MALACCA 5132-C, Jalan Datuk Palembang, Bukit Baru, 75150 Melaka. Tel/Fax: 06 231 0177 Email: [email protected] Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm NASAM JOHOR No. 59 Jalan Cendera Serene Park, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor Tel: 07 223 0075 Fax: 07 223 0076 Email: [email protected] Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm NASAM SABAH Kompleks Badan-Badan Sukarela Wisma Pandu Puteri, KM4 Jalan Tuaran 88801 Kota Kinabalu Tel/Fax: 08 826 1568 Email: [email protected] Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm www.nasam.org PRINTED BY Xpress Print (KL) Sdn Bhd No. 17 Jalan Lima, Off Jalan Chan Saw Lin 55200 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03-9221 1188 Fax: 03-9221 1122 SPONSORED BY Sanofi-Aventis Bristol-Myers Squibb Partnership (130227-V) 8th Floor, PNB Damansara No. 19, Lorong Dungun Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03-2089 3333 Fax: 03-2089 338/9 Chairman’s Message There are many people who have real needs not met, and yet all of us seem to have a difficult time differentiating between needs and wants, especially when there are so many tempting sales on. Here in NASAM, we are fortunate to know of people who willingly give of themselves to those who are in need. To celebrate this season of giving we have devoted this issue of Stroke News to stories of people and organisations who have voluntarily taken steps to improving the quality of life for stroke survivors and in helping NASAM in general. The cover story features two caring young adults Jim Lim and Penny Sun who selflessly put their lives on hold to care for their parents stricken by stroke. On page 8 we highlight the personal contribution of individuals who went out of their way to devote time and effort to making NASAM a better place for our strokees. Page 9 focuses on some organisations which not only gave us donations but also took a keen interest in the activities of NASAM. As CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is beginning to take a hold in Malaysian corporate life, more and more companies are showing interest and involvement in community work. This augurs well for NASAM which depends so much on voluntary efforts to help maintain our level of activities. For example, UBS Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s active role in our Food and Fun Fair has set an example for other companies to follow suit; they have also supported us in our training programmes for physiotherapists and sponsored the publication of the book Understanding Stroke. BP Asia Pacific (M) Sdn Bhd sponsored our Bahasa website so we can reach out to a greater number of people. The donation from a BP charity dinner has enabled us to do some renovation work at NASAM PJ. In the face of an extended economic down-turn we hope companies will keep CSR a priority because we will need their support more then ever. It’s not possible for me to name everyone who’s helped NASAM throughout 2008 but with gratitude in my heart I would like to say a big thank you. Your support has given us the incentive and fortitude to carry on with our work. Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season Yours sincerely JANET YEO Founder Chairman Cover: Jim Lim with his mother Bee Bee in Cameron Highlands. NEWS 1 First NASAM Centre in the East Coast NASAM Kuantan, our eighth NASAM club will be opening by early 2009. The committee, headed by Dato Ng Koong Sinn, has located a bungalow in Kuantan Garden − a quiet and pleasant suburb not far from the town centre. The idea for the club was mooted by some members of the Rotary Club of Indera Mahkota after they met NASAM’s representatives at the 2007 NASAM East Coast Roadshow. Over the years, we have had many requests from stroke survivors and their families in the East Coast to help them cope with the effects of stroke. At long last help will be there soon. The front view of NASAM Kuantan House which will soon be undergoing renovations NEW Chairmen NASAM Ipoh, NASAM Kuantan and NASAM Sabah are fortunate to have three volunteers Surine Ho, Dato’ Ng and Jasminah Ali who have offered their invaluable services to become Chairman of their respective clubs. Surine Ho - a dedicated homemaker, businesswoman and church worker - she has managed also to squeeze in time to be a caretaker chairman for the past one year after the former Chairman Ann Cheam retired. She recently organised the Ipoh Food and Fun Fair at short notice and made it a resounding success. Dato’ Ng Koong Sinn is a Senior Vice President with 20 years experience in the manufacturing, bulk storage and logistics industry. He is also the Rotary Club Assistant Governor of District 3300. Dato’ Ng heads the newly formed NASAM Kuantan committee. Jasminah Ali (left) has been Acting Chairman for NASAM Sabah for almost two years after former chairman Dr Heather Yong left for the U.S. In August, she received an award from the Chief Minister of Sabah in recognition of her outstanding voluntary community service. A warm welcome to: Chitra Guruswamy (second left), administrative assistant at NASAM Ampang receiving a donation cheque from Datin Freida and Dato Hamzah (right) at a charity concert by the Hale St Mary’s Chamber Orchestra of Perth. Alice Teng, started work at NASAM Ipoh in October. Prior to joining NASAM, Alice was a nurse at a polyclinic. Her favourite pastimes are reading and listening to music. 2 FOCUS Get Help for Post-stroke Depression Post-stroke depression (PSD) is considered the most frequent and important neuropsychiatric consequence of stroke, since approximately one-third of stroke survivors experience major depression. Moreover this condition can have an adverse effect on cognitive function, functional recovery and survival. A U.K. study on post-stroke depression reveals that about 30 percent of stroke survivors suffer depression six months to two years after a stroke. The disabilities and the adjustment period are the main causes of depression. Dr Siow Yuen Chin, consultant psychiatrist at Subang Jaya Medical Centre says that some patients become so withdrawn they don’t even want to move. – “In medical term it’s known as psychomotor retardation. If these patients are not treated by a psychiatrist they will not co-operate in the other aspects of the rehab treatment. Carers must understand that depression is an illness. “Carers must understand that depression is an illness.” Dr Siow Yeun Chin, consultant psychiatrist at Subang Jaya Medical Centre Sometimes patients don’t even realize why they are in that condition and some of them get criticized for not having the moral fibre to get on with life.” Dr Siow says we should not put blame on the patient but to seek the help of a psychiatrist. Dr Siow advises that a stroke survivor in such a situation would need a good support system from the family and the community. “The depression depends on the severity of the stroke. In severe cases, counselling alone is not enough. The patient needs to be treated with anti-depressants. It will normally take the medication about three weeks to start working and the treatment has to be sustained for two to four months.” Dr Siow quoted a case of a patient who at first was resentful of the treatment and refused medication because “it would be of no use.” After several sessions talking with the patient, she became less negative and agreed to take the medication. Three months later, the patient became more optimistic and by six months she came out of the depression, responded to her other rehab treatment and has gradually made progress in regaining her physical functions. Dr Siow adds that she treats more carers than the patients. “ I refer to the condition as carers burn-out. I often advise carers to take care of their own needs, not to take on the responsibility of caring for a stroke patient by themselves. Mobilise a support system – don’t be shy to ask for help from friends or neighbours. A tired and stressed carer will vent anger and frustration at the patient and then the patient feels guilty and both are sucked into a depression cycle. This is a psychosocial problem.” Written by Margaret Chang Some of the signs and symptoms of depression are: 1 Weight loss / weight gain 2 Sleeping problems – does not sleep well or wake up too early 3 Loss of interest 4 Feeling of worthlessness 5 Thoughts of suicide 6 Withdrawn – don’t even want to move Tips For Stroke Survivors INFORMATION 3 Encouraging Awareness of the Stroke-affected Side hen a stroke has damaged parts of the brain that deal with perception/awareness (ie the way we process information from our senses such as sight and touch and the way we understand things) abilities that we normally take for granted can be turned topsy-turvy. Often the stroke survivors can’t describe or explain or don’t realize they are experiencing a disability. It is, therefore, important that caregivers, family and friends understand that such problems are caused by the stroke survivor’s loss of awareness of the stroke-affected side. • The left side if the RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN was damaged W • The right side if the LEFT SIDE OF THE BRAIN was damaged Carers / family members can encourage awareness by gently turning the head toward the involved side. Here’s another more effective method. Choose a task that is interesting and motivating to the patient. Place all objects on the involved side. Some exercises which can be incorporated into activities of daily living can help stroke survivors overcome their disabilities. Incorporate the involved hand into the activity by placing your hand on the weak hand. Then ‘guide’ their hand through the task. The problem is more common when the stroke has damaged the right side of the brain (i.e. when the left side is affected). The stroke survivor may: • Dress/undress only on one side (putting on one sleeve of the blouse/shirt, putting on the shoe with only one sock on) • Shave only on one side of the face (the other half is ‘absent’) • Eat only the food on one half of the plate • ‘Lose’ things which might be nearby, but on the affected side • Bump into things (furniture, railings on affected side appear not to be there) • Get lost (because if there is a choice of direction, the person always turns the same way, right or left only, never paying attention to the affected side) • Write on only one side of a page • Knock things over (because they appear not to be there) • Doesn’t shut the door after getting into the car (because the door is on the affected side) • Let the affected arm dangle down the wheel of the wheelchair. Helpful hints that may help: √ Wear a watch on the affected arm as a reminder to look for that arm √ A suitably placed full-length mirror (eg in the living room) will allow the stroke survivor to see both the good and affected side √ Teach the stroke survivor to make visual checks so that the affected arm leg is not bumping into furniture or dangerously placed √ Frequently remind the stroke survivor about the side that’s ignored – touch it, talk about it √ When talking to the stroke survivor, stand in front or on the good side √ Place things that the stroke survivor may need – a drink, box of tissues – near the good side to encourage independence and success of activity An interesting ‘hand-eye’ phenomenon occurs during ‘guiding’: the eyes will follow the hand. This method in highly effective in training stroke survivors to compensate for visual field deficits. As soon as the stroke survivor gets any movement in the hand, encourage its use by doing functional tasks. Slow stretching can be helpful before starting on activity. When selecting a task, choose objects, which fit the shape of the hand, keeping it open but not flat. A mug/glass is perfect. When choosing activities, think of other objects with round contours such as a jar. It encourages more opening of the finger joints and still keep hand in good position. Adapted from StrokeHelp & I.C.E. 4 EVENTS Fun for All Nasam Ampang Fifth Anniversary Dinner On Saturday 24 May, volunteers and strokees transformed the modest, two-storey Mei Keng Fatt Chinese Restaurant in Kuala Ampang into the most happening party site the village has ever seen. David Chew the emcee set the pace and tone, delighting the guests with his witty introductions and jokes. The evening opened with NASAM Ampang Rockers belting out the theme song “Knock on Your Door” then followed by strokees performing a Bollywood-style dance and a rendition of the Peter Sellers/Sophia Loren duet “Goodness Gracious Me”. Our guests happily entered into the spirit of the evening by participating in the singing contest and the Elvis Presley impersonation. Thank you to the organising committee comprising Tunku Rafidah, Chitra Guruswamy, Patsy Soo, Sheela Kalaivanen, Marie Antao, Irene Wong, Teo Chin Inn, Doreen Tan, Kani s/o Chelliah, Patricia Ariffin, Sheila Joachim and Sharifah Khiriyah and all the strokees whose performance made such a fun-filled, action-packed evening. Strokee Catherine Saw making the welcome speech The sold-out dinner raised RM114,000.00 NASAM Ampang Rockers comprising strokees and volunteers Mahani binti Ahmad and strokee Goh Tuck Hong as Sophia Loren and Peter Sellers Performing “Pretty Woman” Bollywood-style NASAM PJ/Ampang Wettest Food and Fun Fair Rain came down in buckets the day before the fair and again at around noon on the day of the fair (24 August). So what did we do? Grinned and bore it with a brave face. In spite of the bad weather, we managed to raise a staggering RM245,000.00. The success owes largely to the pre-event coupon sales and the hard work put in by friends of NASAM, sponsors, volunteers, strokees, carers and staff. Two weeks before the fair …. Carers and strokees preparing ingredients for Mike’s popular sambal udang kering EVENTS 5 Day before the fair … Two hours before the opening … e stalls … Setting up th to Preparing for the move n ma Ta at e nu the Fair ve ya Ja ing tal Jaya, Pe Wet feet, war m Tough ladies … hearts … At the fair … And the rain came down … Kite painting for the young ones Dressed for the occasion Here c omes t he crow d ay Rain rain go aw Another Successful Food and Fun Fair Chairman Surine Ho of NASAM Ipoh was naturally nervous about organising a food and fun fair for the first time. But thanks to the support from the local community and volunteers the event was a resounding success. Sales were brisk, customers were happy and unlike the PJ fair, the sun shone throughout the day. We thank the following for their support: NASAM Ipoh Crafts Group Love and Care society Rotary Club The Ipoh Japan Club Farmers from Cameron Highlands for their vegetables and flowers 6 COVER STORY The Sunny Sid Would you look after your parents if they have a stroke? Without the devotion of fam with severe disabilities would not be possible. Stroke News talks to two exceptio uprooted their lives abroad to come back to care for their parents. he mother of five boys, Bee Bee’s life revolves largely around her family. Even when the boys have grown and left home she was still the matriarch – until September 2006 when she was felled by a stroke at 56. T At that time Jim (then 26), the third son, was studying graphic design and multimedia at the prestigious RIMT college in Melbourne. He says: “The news came as a shock when my family told me she could not walk or talk. But it was not entirely unexpected because she has a history of high blood pressure and had had three small strokes. “Being so far from home I kept in touch by phone – I kept wondering if she would ever recover and how my family is going to cope. My two older brothers, who help my father run a supermarket chain in Terengganu, did their best to take her to the hospital in Dungun once or twice a week for rehab but she didn’t make much progress. I was torn between staying in Australia for a year to get my PR status or to fly back immediately.” Jim returned in April 2008 to look after his mother full time. After reading about NASAM on the internet, he decided to bring his mother to Kuala Lumpur to attend rehab daily at NASAM. He rented an apartment in Taman Sri Sentosa and is now his mother’s main carer. Jim (right) with his mother Bee Bee at NASAM PJ Life couldn’t be more different from his relatively care-free student days in Melbourne. Jim’s day begins at about 7.00am when he cooks his mother breakfast. Later in the morning, he will try to coax her to do some exercise although she hates it. Cleaning and cooking are next on the schedule. “We used to order meals, from a caterer but my mother prefers home-cooked meals so I had to learn by trial and error. Sometimes my mum calls out instructions. We get in to NASAM for the 2.30pm session and after 4.30pm we leave for another centre for electro therapy which ends at 7.00pm. Dinner is about 8.00pm. My mother goes to bed at 11.30pm after she has watched her favourite TV programmes and I turn in at about 12.30pm. “ I try to go out at least once a month to meet friends for about two hours. I daren’t stay out any longer although I tell the neighbours when I go out.” says Jim simply and without a trace of self-pity about his social restrictions. He brightens up when we asked about his mother’s progress. “My mother still cannot walk by herself but she’s not as depressed as before. She likes coming to NASAM – it gives her a sense of purpose. Sometimes, she wakes up in the night crying. I used to worry about it but now I think it’s good for her to release her emotions. Looking after my mother by myself is tough – I need to be even more positive than her to understand what she’s going through. Yet for all the adversity, there are moments of tenderness and humour. Yet for all the adversity, there are moments of tenderness and humour. “These last few months have brought me closer to her. I got to know things about her which I didn’t know before. Like when I take her shopping I notice she likes things in pink. I also found out she used to enjoy singing with her friends in the Hainanese Association. My mother a karaoke performer!” “I realise I didn’t know my mother that well when I was growing up. I was too busy doing my own thing but she was always there for us. It’s difficult now but my mother deserves to be well cared for.” says the filial son. Jim is hopeful his mother will recover well enough for him to return to Australia to pursue his career in about Jim cooking sambal for the 12 months’ time. Food and Fun Fair ide of Caring COVER STORY 7 of family members, recovery for some stroke survivors eptional, young carers Jim Lim and Penny Sun who ne of the first things you notice about Penny Sun is her fluent American-accented English. She has spent 20 years in the U.S.A. and has built a life there with her husband and her church. In her early 30s, Penny Sun was educated in the U.S. and worked as an I.T. Manager until 2006 when her father Sun Yew Lum (76) was struck down by stroke. The youngest of three siblings she returned to Malaysia to look after her father. She says: “To be uprooted from my life in Memphis was a very difficult decision. But in reality, we didn’t have much choice. Though I’m married, I don’t have any children. Furthermore, I had accumulated a lot of sick time which I could use for my leave. And I can drive. So all these factors made me the natural choice for an extended visit to Malaysia to look after my dad.” O The ‘extended visit’ ran into two years during which her husband managed to get leave to visit her twice. When most families find it more convenient to send their maids along with the stroke survivors to NASAM, Penny would come cheerfully to NASAM every day with her father for speech and group physiotherapy. She was usually at her father’s side encouraging and guiding him through his routines even when there were times he appeared to have lost interest. Penny said one of the most rewarding things in looking after her father was: “ When I arrived at the hospital I was shocked to see my father like a lump of jello – he couldn’t sit up on the bed or chair without support, he couldn’t stand or walk. But gradually, he began to walk again, although a bit slow and unsteady, and to see him regain some semblance of his old self was a great relief. Every Penny with her Dad at NASAM small step he took made all the hard work worthwhile. One of my fondest memories of my dad’s pre-stroke days is the family fishing trips. When I was little he would wake me up very early in the morning to go fishing. I loved those trips. Memories like these make me want to care for him. Having said that, looking after a stroke survivor is not easy– my father has his mood swings, although a gentleman in public he can throw temper tantrums at home when he cannot make himself understood. So caring for him requires my mother and I to make adjustments, understand and anticipate his needs. I have to constantly put myself in his shoes – if I were to lose my language ability, I’d also find some everyday situations difficult and frustrating.” “I have to constantly put myself in his shoes – if I were to lose my language ability, I’d also find some everyday situations difficult and frustrating.” After two years, strokee Sun has recovered sufficiently for Penny to return to Memphis. In September Penny left with mixed feelings – eager to return to her life with her husband and her job but also apprehensive about leaving her mother to care for her dad. But she said she will return to see them. Pre-stroke Sun Yew Lum (standing) at one of the family fishing trips Written by Margaret Chang and Shen Chan Carers Also Need Help Penny Sun says: “ There is a lot of emphasis on rehabilitation and therapy for stroke survivors, which is of paramount importance, but secondary to that some level of support should be given to carers and the maids. Strokes affect more than just the patient, it also affects the rest of the family. Carer education on how to care for the stroke survivor physically and emotionally would be helpful. It’s so easy to get upset when your loved one is not able to perform tasks that used to be so simple. You have to be patient – understand that stroke survivors have been through one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives and like it or not, from now on, things are not going to be what they used to be. As soon as you accept this fact, the stroke survivors too can accept it and ultimately, everyone will be much happier.” 8 PEOPLE Making Strokees Whole and Well Doctors are always rushed off their feet attending to their numerous patients. But it did not stop Dr Edward Nathan, a Preventive Medicine specialist, to offer his time and advice to the strokees at NASAM Penang. From April to August, Dr Edward visited NASAM Penang once a week to give talks on the prevention of subsequent strokes, various topics on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He also gave one-to-one attention to strokees regarding their problems. Dr Edward’s special interest in Preventive Medicine is in the field of health risk assessment and wellness as well as helping those who want to quit the smoking habit. He has conducted smoking cessation classes in Penang since 2003. He will also be conducting research and classes in stress management, exercise and nutrition, and behavorial change. Dr Edward speaks English, Malay and Hokkien. Text by Elaine Chong (NASAM Penang) Dr Edward Nathan at NASAM Penang Pain and Agony for NASAM’s sake Urs Weisskopf from Switzerland fought against stomach ache, dizziness and cough to reach the top of Mount Kinabalu and then he had to race back to the starting point to finish the annual Kinabalu Climbathon. All the aches and agony was to raise RM4000 for NASAM Sabah. Urs’ decision to enter this tough competition was inspired by a friend who suffered a stroke. His friend has since recovered and is keeping an active life to maintain his health. Text by MaryAnn Willis (NASAM Sabah) Urs’ Weisskopf at the start of the Climbathon Crossing the KLCC Skybridge All the staff at Dell Global Business Center in Cyberjaya are encouraged to give something back to the community by doing some form of charity work. The staff was told to organise a program which will not take up more than four hours. Teng Cheng Foong and her colleagues took strokees to the KLCC Twin Towers Skybridge on 9 October. The strokees had a great time and Teng Cheng and her team were awarded certificates by Dell for the most imaginative community work. Upon reaching KLCC, stroke survivors waiting in line to go into KLCC building, while drivers park their cars Volunteers from Dell Global Business Center in Cyberjaya DONATIONS 9 Doing Good is Also Fun In the last 12 months NASAM has been fortunate to be nominated as a beneficiary to several interesting events organised by various corporations and organisations. We are appreciative that these companies not only gave us donations but are also actively interested and involved in NASAM’s activities. The Annual Guardian Walk The Edge/Bursa Malaysia Rat Race Participants at the starting line for the 2008 The Edge/Bursa Malaysia Rat Race Strokees waiting eagerly for the Walk to start The event held at the Sunway Lagoon Theme Park on 26 April gave our strokees a chance to participate in a public event. The strokees also enjoyed an acrobatic show after the walk. MARGMA Dinner On 19 August, CEOs and staff of finance companies ran a 4-kilometre race to raise funds for charity. This year, 20 charities were given a donation of RM87,000 each. NASAM will use some of the funds to help NASAM Kuantan open a stroke centre. Annual Charity Rugby dinner The UBS Prize-winning cake stall The face changing act of Candy Chong entertaining guests at the dinner UBS staff helping at NASAM Food and Fun Fair UBS Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd cake stall at NASAM PJ/ Ampang Food and Fun Fair was the top-selling stall for the last three years. This year, their Hari Raya hampers raised additional funds for NASAM. Their involvement with NASAM includes the sponsoring of two training programmes and the publication of Understanding Stroke. The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers’ Association and representative from 87 related supplier/support companies, both local and overseas, raised RM30,000 for NASAM at their annual dinner on 2 September, in support of NASAM’s work for stroke survivors. The Truly Loving Company The Truly Loving Company, founded only a year ago, by Julia Chong, presented donation cheques of RM10,000 to NASAM and four other beneficiaries. TLC also supports NASAM by selling Julia Chong (centre) with Khaw TLC products at NASAM PJ/ Chee Tay (left) and Jonathan Teoh at the TLC stall at NASAM Food Ampang Food and Fun Fair. and Fun Fair Guest- speaker Brian Moore’s anecdotes of his rugby days had the audience in stitches CEO of BP Asia Pacific (M) Sdn Bhd Datuk Peter Wentworth (second right) with Janet Yeo ( third right) at the cheque presentation ceremony BP Asia Pacific (M) Sdn Bhd and Standard Chartered Bank jointly hosted the dinner on 4 June at the Shangri-La Hotel to raise funds for NASAM and the Malaysian “Living with HIV/AIDS” programme. Guests were entertained to 5-star hospitality which includes guest-speakers who were top Rugby players from England and Australia. NASAM will be using part of the RM80,000 donation to convert the back verandah in NASAM PJ into a therapy space. 10 OUTINGS Rediscovering the Life in NASAM is more than just therapy exercise. To put fun into the rehab progra strokees and carers. The trips give everyone a break and is certainly the most look “Learning to get in and out of buses and even boats, eating in public, climbing up and down steps to get to a location – doing all these things together with fellow strokees encourages camaraderie and also help to boost their self confidence. After each trip strokees inevitably ask when is the next one” says Annie Ng, physio-in- charge at NASAM Ampang. Highland Fling Time for strokee Margaret from NASAM PJ to smell the roses “This is the life…” says carer Jim Lim Cruising down Malacca River Physiotherapists Tracy, NASAM PJ (centre) and Annie, NASAM Ampang (right) taking a tea break while stokees enjoy the scenery Visit to USM Strokees from NASAM JB enjoying a boat cruise on the Malacca River Strokees from NASAM Sabah visit Universiti Sabah Malaysia he Joys of Living OUTINGS 11 ogramme, every couple of months, therapists and volunteers organise outings for looked- forward event for the strokees. Island Escapades Strokees from NASAM Penang enjoy a day out at the Butterfly farm at Teluk Bahang Fresh air and exercise at Batu Ferringhi with lunch to round up the day By Boat to Shopping Mall … now we are safe on land Strokees getting on the boat to the Mines Shopping Mall Freedom of Expression NASAM PJ Speech therapist Dyani says that taking small groups of strokees with speech impairment to public places is helpful in getting them to overcome their shyness and fear of not coping socially. The excitement of an outing also gets them to express themselves more - by gestures, sounds or saying a few words at a time. “I’ve noticed the positive changes in my strokees since we started our regular outings.” Something to eat, something to talk about Aiyah! Didn’t get a strike Overcoming the fear of printed words at Borders bookshop If Tiger Woods can, I can 12 DIARY June May The NASAM Sabah extension, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu, was officially opened by the State Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs Datuk Hajah Azizah on 12 June Volunteers at NASAM PJ gathered round the ‘appreciation’ cake to celebrate Volunteers Day organised by strokees and their carers July H Heah Hock Heng the most popular cook at our annual Food and Fun Fair giving a char koay teow demo to volunteers View of the extension from the garden August September The NASAM booth set up by students of TAR College for the ‘Truly Loving Campaign’ aimed at creating awareness for the Truly Loving Company and its five charity partners, of which NASAM is one of them Margaret Chang (left) and Tracy Chan represented NASAM at the Sixth World Stroke Congress held in Vienna. Margaret spoke on Stroke Support in Malaysia. A video of NASAM’s activities was also shown to the audience All NASAM physiotherapist came together for a Neurological Rehabilitation Workshop from 21 -23 August at NASAM PJ. The workshop was sponsored by UBS Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd CLUBS 13 The Story of Victor’s Recovery Dear F D Friends i d off NASAM During the festive season please give generously to those who need your help. By giving NASAM a donation you will help stroke survivors to help themselves. Your contribution is vital. Your kindness you can make a strokee’s wish come true. YES! We want to give. Full names: Address: Tel: (O) (H) Enclosed is a cheque / bank draft / money order payable to NASAM for RM I would like to pledge RM per month for one year. Yes, please include me in the NASAM mailing list. I would like to sponsor a therapist. Please contact me. Please provide me with more information to serve on a voluntary basis. Note: Your donation will be acknowledged with an official tax-exempt receipt. Mail your cheques to: National Stroke Association of Malaysia (NASAM) 12 Jalan 7/2, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03 7656 4840 Fax: 03 7954 2275